Last week, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives passed a tax and spending plan that will preserve tax cuts while trimming social service programs that Democrats say could negatively impact millions of poor and working Americans. Programs impacted may include access to healthcare through Medicaid.
HealthFirst Family Care Center in Fall River serves 13,000 city residents, 55% of whom receive Medicaid benefits. Executive Director Dr. Lisa Jones says the residents who seek health, dental, and behavioral health services at HealthFirst often do so knowing they can receive quality care they may not otherwise receive. She feels that if fewer people seek health care, resulting from a cut in benefits, Fall River would become a less healthy community.
Dr. Jones says along with potential cuts in benefits, reporting requirements in the bill will add a barrier to receiving coverage.
Dr. Jones says community health centers have traditionally received bipartisan support from state and federal leaders, and she is concerned that cuts in Medicaid could jeopardize their future.
There are still steps in the legislative process before any Medicaid cuts take effect. The House bill is now before the Senate, which must first approve or make changes to the bill before being signed into law by President Donald Trump.
